I think I am going to have to cry uncle here. It is only February 3rd and I am already exhausted. I did not even write a post yesterday (wrote my groundhog post on Saturday) and I was still up until midnight trying to keep up with everyone's blogs, although I do admit to taking time out to watch 24 and The Closer.
Last year I was able to keep up with it all. This year with double the number of February Bloggers as well as trying to find time to check in on a few of my other favorite blogs and keeping up with the latest Red Sox news, there is no way I will be able to post daily, keep up with everyone’s blogs, comment on everyone’s blogs, and reply to the comments on my blog every day.
My goal at this point is to try to post daily and read everyone else's blogs daily. I still want to try to comment when I can but I just don't have the time to comment on everyone's blog daily. I also would like to continue to reply to the comments on my blog, but may need to do some of this on the weekends.
One thing I discovered that has been a big time saver is Google Reader. The wheels started turning on this idea a couple of weeks ago when I read a post Kim wrote about subscribing to RSS feeds. I had heard about RSS feeds but never really understood what it was all about. I was able to follow Kim's post until she started talking about Feed Burner and subscribing. I became lost with all of the choices and now realize that I was really stuck on the Feed Burner thing.
Last week while reading a post on the Beat of Hawaii and Beyond, I noticed a related link called Use Google Reader To Find Today’s Time-Sensitive Travel Deals. I clicked on this post and it all became a little clearer to me. I am not sure though if I would have understood without first reading Kim's post, so if you are interested in trying out Google Reader, my suggestion is to first read Kim's post, then read the Beat of Hawaii and Beyond's post and then check out this informative step-by-step beginners video clip (below) on how to get started using Google Reader, which I found on the Official Google Reader Blog.
After adding blogs onto my Google Reader page, I added categories. One of the categories I made was February Bloggers. Now I can easily click on the blogs that are bold (meaning new posts) all on one webpage. I really like having this new option of checking out all of the blogs I read in one place. The only pressure I am finding is that the number of new blog posts can be overwhelming after being gone all day. Manny was big news today so my Red Sox blogs had a lot of new posts.
Now in case you are wondering, I do not own stock in Google! There are many other Blog Readers available. I decided on trying out Google Reader because I already have a Google account.
Happy blogging everyone!!
Comments (15)
I use Google Reader too! The only downside is that I keep finding more and more blogs to subscribe to.
I like your idea of putting all the February blogs in one category. I'm going to do that right now.
Posted by Chris | February 3, 2009 6:00 PM
Posted on February 3, 2009 18:00
G: You don't have to read this one - there use to be a saying in my younger days that we can reword here: Sooo many blogs, sooo little time. M
Posted by menehune | February 3, 2009 6:03 PM
Posted on February 3, 2009 18:03
I love, love, love Google Reader. Except I've subscribed to over 90 blogs...it's starting to get unmanageable. Now you know why I didn't want to blog every day! ;-)
Posted by softdrink | February 3, 2009 6:23 PM
Posted on February 3, 2009 18:23
Take it easy on yourself, girasoli.
I am glad you posted about the Google Reader, I will check it out.
Posted by candi | February 3, 2009 6:31 PM
Posted on February 3, 2009 18:31
Last year many of us tried to comment on each other's blogs as much as possible. That was one way we started to bond and get to know each other better. I already feel so much less stress just putting it in writing that I only have so many hours in the day. Well, I guess I didn't write it exactly that way, but you all know what I mean.
Chris, I know what you mean! I need to stop adding blogs. I am wondering if in a way, Google Reader is part of the reason that I was feeling so much pressure yesterday. Coming home and seeing 37 new posts and then once I started checking a few out, more new posts were added was getting to me.
menehune, I like that saying!
softdrink, now I understand. I just checked and had no idea that I have subscribed to 85 blogs! Perhaps that is why I am feeling so much pressure!! I do like Google Reader though. It is great to use at work also since I can see some of the blogs that are blocked for *social* reasons.
candi, thanks.
Posted by girasoli | February 3, 2009 6:51 PM
Posted on February 3, 2009 18:51
Hi Girasoli, thanks for passing on the Google Reader information. I'm reading what I am able to. If I can't get to a blog or comment, I think it's okay and will try to get there even if it is not daily. It's still cool.
Thanks again for sharing the information on Google Reader. Happy blogging to you too!
Posted by Kathy (Trekcapri) | February 3, 2009 8:56 PM
Posted on February 3, 2009 20:56
Yes, I completely understand. I like to post on kaleidoscope with a new layout a couple of times a week, and my I post sporadically on all of my others. :)
I enjoy reading the new posts each day in my updates on Kaleidoscope. :)
Posted by Leslie | February 3, 2009 11:38 PM
Posted on February 3, 2009 23:38
I'm with Kathy, I'm going to do as much as I can but not stress out if I miss a few blogs one day because I can always catch up later. It's supposed to be fun, not work, LOL.
Posted by Annie | February 4, 2009 5:19 AM
Posted on February 4, 2009 05:19
This is useful information, Girasoli -- thanks for these links. I have read Kim's intial post, but am definitely going to have to dig a bit deeper as you suggest (through the other links you've provided) to really understand how to use these tools.
I hope you won't worry too much about keeping up with everyone's blogs -- I certainly don't think I'll be able to either!
As Kathy says, I think we're all going to have to just read and comment when we can, blog when possible, and not take it too seriously. (which is always a problem for me, I can get way too anal about things!)
Posted by sandrac | February 4, 2009 5:30 AM
Posted on February 4, 2009 05:30
Girasoli, relax! Breathe in, breathe out. Don't stress about not being able to read all the blogs, post a comment and then reply to the comments on your blog. I know how you feel because I've been trying to keep up with all the blogs and there's just not enough time. I gave up on replying to the comments on my blog (unless someone posts a question) because I rather use that time to read blogs and write a comment. Relax, we are all in the same boat :)
I've never heard of Google Reader. Will check it later.
Posted by María I. | February 4, 2009 5:40 AM
Posted on February 4, 2009 05:40
I did not have a blog last year, and just a few days ago decided to see if I could actually join in with you this year - it's going to be bigger than life, I see, but I hope to not let it run my life. I do look forward to knowing more about everyone, if you'll excuse my "reluctant" participation.
Posted by Marcia | February 4, 2009 8:57 AM
Posted on February 4, 2009 08:57
Don't get overwhelmed. I'm trying to keep up daily too but sometimes, I just catch up on the weekend. I'm downloading the non-slowtrav blogs to my Outlook which I love but one of these days, I'll check out Google Reader. And like you, I think the number of blogs I'm reading is growing exponentially.
Posted by Kim | February 4, 2009 1:26 PM
Posted on February 4, 2009 13:26
I know what you feel Girasoli! Last year it was definitely easier! I try to read everyone's post at some point, even if it is not the same day as it was written. We'll do the best we can!
Posted by Chiocciola | February 4, 2009 4:33 PM
Posted on February 4, 2009 16:33
Glad everyone else is feeling the same way. Google Reader is a great tool - easy way to peek at everyone's blogs in one place.
Posted by girasoli | February 5, 2009 8:01 AM
Posted on February 5, 2009 08:01
PS: Thanks for the link!
Posted by menehune | February 5, 2009 9:11 AM
Posted on February 5, 2009 09:11